Home Men's Health Does Testosterone Increase Metabolism?

Does Testosterone Increase Metabolism?

by Glenn Fitzpatrick
overweight man exercising with crunches

Although most people usually associate testosterone with strength and male sexual performance, the hormone actually plays various important functions, both in men and women. For instance, testosterone is needed in order to maintain sufficient bone mass. When you’re not producing enough of the hormone, you could end up developing osteoporosis.

Testosterone is also essential for regulating your metabolism. It’s a well-known fact that deficiency in testosterone can lead to loss of muscle mass and increased fat mass. In fact, testosterone deficiency and obesity often go hand in hand. Find out how testosterone can affect your metabolism.

Obesity and Low T Levels

Did you know that obese men tend to have lower testosterone levels compared to men with normal weights? Research indicates that testosterone levels among obese men are around 30% lower, with a majority of morbidly obese men also suffering from hypogonadism.

Belly fat is a common problem among obese people. It’s especially problematic in relation to testosterone levels because belly fat tends to be active, in the sense that it produces and secretes enzymes like aromatase.

Men who have high estrogen levels may have already heard of aromatase. It’s actually the enzyme that’s responsible for making estrogen out of testosterone. Aromatase binds to your bioavailable testosterone, thus lowering your free testosterone levels and increasing your estrogen levels.

This is also why obese men tend to have higher-than-normal estrogen levels. In addition, high estrogen and aromatase activities in men can lead to reduced production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Low GnRH levels result in low luteinizing hormone levels, which further negatively impact your testosterone production.

Testosterone and Fat Metabolism

Studies indicate that testosterone deficiency is associated with high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This is common among overweight and obese people, and it needs to be corrected because it can eventually lead to heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, as well as type 2 diabetes.

testosterone and sculpted physique

On the one hand, research indicates that when hypogonadal men undergo testosterone therapy, they tend to experience improvements in their lipid and lipoprotein profiles. Improved testosterone levels are linked to increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, as well as reductions in total cholesterol and LDL levels.

Fats are basically made up of lipid molecules. Evidence shows that testosterone helps in metabolizing lipid molecules. Increased metabolism of lipid molecules reduces the amount of fat that gets stored in your body.

This also helps explain why when your testosterone levels are subnormal, your fat metabolism slows down, resulting in increased fat mass. As many studies have shown, obese men with hypogonadism tend to lose weight when their testosterone levels are normalized through testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone and Carbs Metabolism

Insulin plays a crucial role in how the body metabolizes and uses carbs. The carbs you eat are basically broken down into glucose. Insulin then helps your cells absorb glucose from your blood. Your cells then use glucose and convert it into energy. Your body stores glucose as fat instead when it’s not used as energy.

However, when you have high insulin resistance, your cells are unable to efficiently absorb glucose. This causes glucose to accumulate in your bloodstream, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

Studies show that testosterone can help increase the number of insulin receptors. With a higher number of insulin receptors, your cells will be able to bind with insulin better. This can lessen insulin resistance and enable you to metabolize carbs more efficiently.

Indeed, in various experimental studies, experts have shown that induced testosterone deficiency can lead to high insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels. On the one hand, testosterone treatment has been shown to cause increased metabolism in skeletal muscles.

This increased metabolic rate will then lead to the improved conversion of fat cells into energy and decreased fat mass. In short, increasing your testosterone levels can definitely help in improving your metabolism and enabling you to become more efficient in burning fat.

Improving Your Testosterone Levels

There are basically two ways to raise your testosterone levels. You either take synthetic testosterone or improve your internal production of the hormone. For those who have prescriptions, synthetic testosterone is available in gel, injection, pellet, or patch form. Other men use synthetic testosterone in the form of anabolic steroids.

Although testosterone replacement therapy has been proven beneficial for those who are clinically deficient in testosterone, doctors usually advise men with healthy testosterone levels to refrain from using synthetic testosterone. That’s because the unnecessary intake of synthetic testosterone can lead to various health risks.

Acne, sleep apnea, and breast enlargement are just some of the known side effects of testosterone therapy. The treatment can also lead to higher risks for stroke, as well as blood clots. It can also result in impaired liver function.

Hence, if you’re planning to raise your testosterone levels, either to increase your metabolism, lose weight, build muscles, or improve your sexual performance, you should consider taking natural testosterone boosters instead.

female doctor holding male supplement pills

Testosterone boosters help promote the testicular synthesis of testosterone. This means that instead of raising your testosterone levels through the introduction of synthetic testosterone into your body, you get to increase your own production of testosterone.

Natural testosterone boosters abound, and many of them have ample scientific backing. For instance, in both animal studies and human trials, Tribulus Terrestris has been proven to help increase levels of testosterone, which is why the herb is quite popular among bodybuilders and athletes.

Through its testosterone-boosting effects, Tribulus Terrestris is also able to help improve your libido and erectile function. Plus, the herb is also associated with increased sperm production, improved sperm count, and enhanced fertility.

If losing weight is the main reason why you’re wanting to increase your testosterone levels, then fenugreek is your best option when it comes to natural testosterone boosters. Fenugreek is actually widely used for weight loss, as well as for improving insulin sensitivity and treating diabetes.

The high dietary fiber content of fenugreek seeds is what makes it extremely beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight. In addition, fenugreek also has aromatase-inhibitory properties, which means that it can help inhibit the action of aromatase on your bioavailable testosterone.

Increase Your Testosterone Levels with Testosterone Boosters

Male UltraCore is a premium testosterone boosting supplement that is designed to maximize test levels, increase your performance and drive, and give you harder and fuller erections.

NOW AVAILABLE

related posts

Leave a Comment